Oklahoma City Rollover Accident Attorneys
Rollover accidents are one of the most violent and destructive types of crashes. The sheer force of these crashes can toss an occupant around like a rag doll, forcing them to collide with the interior of the vehicle, crushing them under the weight of the roof, or ejecting them from the vehicle entirely. Injuries are often serious, if not fatal. Unfortunately, serious injuries are also synonymous with expensive injuries. If you are catastrophically hurt in a rollover accident, the last thing you want to worry about is how to pay for your medical expenses.
The Oklahoma City car accident attorneys at Abel Law Firm know how serious a rollover accident can be. While you struggle to recover, your family struggles to pay the bills. If someone’s negligent actions or a defective part contributed to your accident, why are you footing all the bills?
The experienced legal team at Abel Law Firm wants to help you recover the compensation you are owed following a serious rollover accident. You may still have a case even if you were the only vehicle involved. Talk to the team at Abel Law Firm about your accident and legal options. Call (405) 239-7046 for a free initial consultation.
What Constitutes a Rollover Crash?
Technically, a rollover crash is an accident where a vehicle tips over onto its side and then rolls onto its roof. A car may roll once or multiple times before coming to rest in any number of positions. A rollover accident occurs when there is a sudden shift in weight and center of gravity. This sudden weight shift is so great that the vehicle begins to tip. Once a vehicle begins to tip, its momentum causes it to roll over. Depending on the vehicle’s speed and the accident’s circumstances, a vehicle can complete several full rotations before coming to a stop.
What Makes Rollover Accidents So Dangerous?
Rollover crashes aren’t just serious. They are often deadly and considered one of the most dangerous accidents. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finds that rollover crashes have a higher fatality rate than other crashes. Although rollover crashes only accounted for about 2.1 percent of the total number of crashes in 2010, they accounted for nearly 35 percent of all deaths from passenger vehicle collisions.
The National Center for Statistics and Analysis found that fatal SUV rollover accidents have more than doubled since 1991. SUVs and light trucks account for many vehicles involved in rollover accidents. While several factors can lead to a rollover accident, these types of vehicles may be more prone to being involved in a rollover because they have a higher center of gravity, they have fairly narrow track widths, and they are more likely to be driven on rural roads where road conditions can be treacherous. These vehicles may also offer drivers a false sense of security on dangerous road conditions such as snow or ice.
Causes and Liability in Rollover Accidents
It may be surprising, but numbers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that 85 percent of all rollover-related fatalities result from single-vehicle crashes. While many accidents result from driver error, several other causes can lead to rollover accidents. Some of the most common causes of rollover accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Speeding
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Equipment/ parts failure
- Poor road design
Depending on the cause of the accident, you may be entitled to compensation from one or more parties. Although several rollover crashes are single-vehicle crashes, many of these accidents are caused by another party’s negligence. For example, if another driver’s actions cause you to overcorrect to avoid a collision and you end up rolling your vehicle, the other driver may be liable for their actions.
Defective Parts or Equipment
In some circumstances, defective parts or equipment failure may be to blame for an accident. If a defective part or design flaw in a vehicle causes a rollover accident or is to blame for serious injuries, the manufacturer could be liable for damages. A government entity may even be liable for a rollover accident if a poorly designed road or large pothole is responsible for a serious rollover accident.
The circumstances surrounding your rollover accident will ultimately determine who can be liable for damages. Even when only a single vehicle is involved, determining who is at fault for a rollover can be difficult. A variety of factors may be at play. Securing an experienced attorney after a rollover accident means you have a team that can thoroughly investigate and reconstruct your accident. This means the liable parties can be established and held accountable for the negligent actions that contributed to your accident.
Since rollover accidents can be so severe, they often lead to catastrophic injuries. Medical bills can skyrocket, and the cost of all of these bills and future medical care costs often aren’t covered in an insurance company’s first settlement offer. Whether you are going through your own insurance company or the at-fault party’s insurance company to recover compensation for your rollover accident, an attorney can help you negotiate a full and fair settlement. Insurance companies will try to get away with giving you the bare minimum possible for your claim. After an accident as serious as a rollover, the bare minimum won’t cut it.
How An Experienced Rollover Injury Lawyer Can Help
After a serious rollover accident, you may be left fighting for your life. Every day is spent struggling to recover your physical and mental health. Do you really want to worry about recovering your financial health too? At Abel Law Firm, our compassionate team of personal injury lawyers will work with you to protect your legal rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one have been hurt in a rollover accident, contact the Oklahoma City car accident team at Abel Law Firm for advice. We will review your case, lay out your legal options, and advise you on the best course of action for your particular situation. Call our office at (405) 239-7046 today to set up a free consultation.
